shift
[shift] a change or deviation.
antigenic shift a sudden, major change in the antigenicity of a virus, seen especially in
influenza viruses, resulting from the recombination of the
genomes of two different strains; it is associated with pandemics because hosts do not have immunity to the new strain. See also
antigenic drift.
chloride shift the exchange of chloride and carbonate between the plasma and the erythrocytes that takes place when the blood gives up oxygen and receives carbon dioxide. It serves to maintain ionic equilibrium between the cell and surrounding fluid.
mediastinal shift a shifting to one side of the tissues and organs of the mediastinum; see also
mediastinal shift.
shift to the left 1. a change in the blood picture, with a preponderance of young neutrophils.
2. an increased oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.
shift to the right 1. a preponderance of older neutrophils in the blood picture.
2. a decreased oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.
weight shift 1. the frequent movement of a paralyzed or partially paralyzed patient to redistribute the patient's weight and prevent impairment of circulation, which leads to pressure sores. One variation is the
wheelchair pressure release.
2. relocation of a patient's center of mass in order to allow movement; see also
gait.
Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health, Seventh Edition. © 2003 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier, Inc. All rights reserved.
change
(chānj), An alteration; in pathology, structural alteration of which the cause and significance is uncertain.
Farlex Partner Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
shift
Vox populi
The change in a thing.Segen's Medical Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
shift
(shift) 2. A period of 8-12 hours during which an employee is assigned to work on a given day. Division of each 24 hours into day, evening, and night shifts is intended to maximize efficiency.
See also:
deviation Medical Dictionary for the Health Professions and Nursing © Farlex 2012
Patient discussion about shift
Q. I started a new job a month ago – it’s night shifts as a security guard in a large office building I don’t know why, but I started feeling very down in the last week. Can it be that the change in waking hours is effecting me?
A. there are dozens of studies about night shift workers that try to connect them to all sort of things. and there is a good reason- our hormonal balance is maintained by our Hypothalamus (an area in the brain). being awake on night time changes it's function, it changes our hormonal system balance and other things around our brain. this can easily cause things like depression amongst some people.
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